The past and present wilt—I have fill’d them, emptied them,
And proceed to fill my next fold of the future.
[51.1]
Listener up there! Here, you! What have you to confide to me?
Look in my face, while I snuff the sidle of evening;
Talk honestly—no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute longer. 1320
[51.2]
Do I contradict myself?
Very well, then, I contradict myself;
(I am large—I contain multitudes .)
[51.3]
51.
The past and present wilt—I have fill’d them, emptied them,
And proceed to fill my next fold of the future.
[51.1]
Listener up there! Here, you! What have you to confide to me?
Look in my face, while I snuff the sidle of evening;
Talk honestly—no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute longer. 1320
[51.2]
Do I contradict myself?
Very well, then, I contradict myself;
(I am large—I contain multitudes .)
[51.3]
I concentrate toward them that are nigh —I wait on the door-slab.
[51.4]
Who has done his day’s work? Who will soonest be through with his supper? 1325
Who wishes to walk with me?
[51.5]
Will you speak before I am gone? Will you prove already too late?
[51.6]
< < previous . . . . . . . next > >